Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has congratulated the new Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide and other lawmakers for ensuring a rancour free process.
Hon. Elemide is the lawmaker representing Odeda State Constituency
Abiodun who commended the seamless manner in which the members of the House elected the new speaker, reaffirming that the lawmakers have the right to decide who would lead them in a democracy.
He stated this when he received 19 members of the Assembly who accompanied the new speaker on a courtesy call on him on Tuesday in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
This was coming shortly after 22 members of the Assembly at a plenary headed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Bolanle Ajayi, on Tuesday, voted for the impeachment of the former Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, to elect Hon Elemide
Abiodun, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, clarified any interference of the executive in the recent crisis that rock the Assembly that led to Oluomo’s impeachment
He applauded the lawmakers for choosing the leader of their choice noting that the executive were in support of the Assembly leadership to electing a new Speaker, and would continue to adhere strictly to the concept of Separation of Power and the rule of law in its relationship with Assembly.
He said “: It is worthy of note that the executive has not interfered in the process to make sure that you are comfortable in what you want to do, that led you to making your decision. And we support you in the decision that you make.
“You have gone through the process in a way that is exemplary. This is not the first time in this country that members of a particular legislature have decided to change their leader.”
The governor pledged that his administration would support and work closely with the legislature to maintain the harmonious relationship that has existed in the last four and a half years.
The new Speaker said the Assembly would continue to compliment the executive and avoid the unnecessary mudslinging that may hinder the progress of the state.
“We are not going to fight, and neither are we going to compromise the executive. In the legislature, there is room for lobbying. We will lobby where we need to lobby, we will assert where we need to assert, and we will let the whole people of the State know that we are there for them.
“To my colleagues, I would not want to betray their confidence that they have in me. It is going to be we and not I. I am just the first among equals, and we were voted in from our various constituencies. I will take cognisant that we are equal.
“I will be there to speak for them, and I will speak whatever they put in my mouth,” Elemide concluded.